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View Full Version : questions for the texture artists out there...

ceruleanvii
05-19-2008, 06:03 PM
I've been a 3D generalist for close to 10 years now, but the thing I love doing best is lighting and texturing, especially hand painting textures. Unfortunately there's no way, in my current job, that I can specialize in this. They do give me the texture-heavy jobs, but we get all kinds of different stuff from week to week and we're expected to do whatever comes our way.

I like my current job, but sometimes I feel like I'd like to concentrate on what I really love doing and what I have an aptitude for. So, texture artists, some questions for you...

What industry are most texture artist jobs in? I'm assuming gaming... What about broadcast and film?

Does a texture artist make as much as a 3D artist?

What softwares are commonly utilized? Photoshop, I'm sure, I've dabbled in Z-brush - is this the tool of choice these days? What other particular skills would a potential employer be looking for?

What kind of work would make the best impression on a reel - characters vs environments, organic vs inorganic...

Lastly, do you think the trend nowadays is towards generalization or specialization - should I just stay put where I am? :)
soulburn3d
05-19-2008, 06:12 PM
What industry are most texture artist jobs in? I'm assuming gaming... What about broadcast and film?

Games sure, but film also needs texture artists.

What softwares are commonly utilized? Photoshop, I'm sure, I've dabbled in Z-brush - is this the tool of choice these days?

Photoshop is still pretty standard, although a few places dabble in 3d painting usng stuff like modo, Body Paint, and zbrush. But no matter how much 3d painting you end up doing, you'll always end up doing something in photoshop.

What kind of work would make the best impression on a reel - characters vs environments, organic vs inorganic...

I'd say you'd need a little of each. If you're already gonna specialize doing texture painting, I'd recommend showing at least one good model in each category if you can, as opposed to specializing even more and say only doing organic characters. There are some specialty jobs out there doing only organic character painting, sure, but the more specialized you are, the fewer jobs you can truly apply for.

Lastly, do you think the trend nowadays is towards generalization or specialization - should I just stay put where I am? :)

There have been tons of threads on this subject on cgtalk before, do a search and you'll see lots of arguing. I say forget the trends, just do what you enjoy doing most, whether it's a little of everything, or one very specific thing.

- Neil
ceruleanvii
05-21-2008, 04:20 PM
Thanks for the great responses, Neil. Eh, still not sure what to do... there are many advantages to staying where I am for now, but there are days when I am so ready for a change... Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it!
Dtox
05-26-2008, 02:57 PM
Just stay at your job for now.
But refine your skills in texturing in preperation for looking for that type of job later.
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05-26-2008, 02:57 PM
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